In the market for a beginner's pistol

I'm sorry you live in NYC.

The cost of doing the paperwork is almost equal to the cost of a gun.

I think if NYC is like Chicago, people do get firearms, they keep them in their houses and they go to ranges out of the city to practice with and them fire them...

I'm not advocating anything illegal, I'm just saying that Chicago had a handgun ban (before it was overturned), and yet people kept guns in their homes anyway.

Well anyway... here is another big macho gun that is out of your price range but I like it so I'm going to post it

VERY BIG and very macho

THE EAA WITNESS HUNTER in 10mm !!!

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The Witness Hunter is one big GUN !
 
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I live in NYC. Is it true that I need a permit just to purchase the gun?
Does your boyfriend drink beer?
There's lots of starter kits for home brewing.

BTW - a trip to a local gun store will tell you all you need to know about NYC and guns.
 
NY (and NYC) gun laws sound like a PITA....... but don't give up ..... do your local ranges have memberships? Do they offer classes? There are all sorts of Gunny-stuff other than guns..... and the best Christmas present my gf could have given me would have been going hunting or shooting with me...... she did, and we've been married 21 years now. She does not go much anymore, but all 5 of the kids do!

Good Luck, and hang in there......
 
KrissyBK said:
I live in NYC. Is it true that I need a permit just to purchase the gun?
I'm not a NY lawyer, and I hope that someone with more NY knowledge than I will correct me if I'm wrong, but here goes: I suspect that you will have to get a permit to purchase the gun, then he will have to have a permit before you can transfer it to him. Looking at the linked pdf, that means an addtional $400+ dollars tacked onto the cost of the gun. That's a lot of range ammo. Heck, that's almost an extra gun!

While I appreciate your enthusiasm for indulging him with this gift, I have to agree with the others who've said that you really ought not to buy the gun for him. A gift certificate may seem impersonal, but he will get to choose the gun, and the $400+ savings might allow you to bump up the price range a little. Don't underestimate the importance of the fit and feel of the gun in his hand. If he doesn't like the way it feels, he won't shoot it. Only he can decide if a gun feels right, and only by handling it.
 
There's more to it... (I'm tellin' ya'... Fuget about it...)... From nyc.gov:

Types of Licenses

PREMISES LICENSE: IS A RESTRICTED TYPE OF LICENSE. It is issued for your RESIDENCE or BUSINESS. The Licensee may possess a handgun ONLY on the premises of the address indicated on the front of the license. Licensees may also transport their handguns and ammunition in SEPARATE LOCKED CONTAINERS, DIRECTLY to and from an authorized range, or hunting location. HANDGUNS MUST BE UNLOADED while being transported.

CARRY BUSINESS LICENSE: This is an unrestricted class of license which permits the carrying of a handgun concealed on the person. It is valid for the business name, address, and handguns listed on the front of the license. It is not transferable to any other person, business, occupation, or address, without the written approval of the commanding officer, license division.

LIMITED CARRY BUSINESS LICENSE: IS A RESTRICTED TYPE OF LICENSE. The licensee may only carry handguns indicated on the license in accordance with the specific limitations listed thereon. At all other times the weapon must be safeguarded within the confines of the business address listed on the front of the license either concealed on the licensee's person in a proper holster or stored unloaded in a locked safe.

SPECIAL CARRY LICENSE: Is valid for the business name, address and handguns listed on the front of this license, only while the licensee has in his possession a valid basic county license issued according to the provisions of article 400 of the N.Y.S. Penal law. Upon the revocation, suspension, or cancellation of the basic license, the special license is rendered void and must be immediately returned to the license division.

CARRY GUARD LICENSE: (SECURITY GUARDS, ETC.) Applications for this type of license must be made with the documentation provided by a company's Gun Custodian. It is issued only for the handgun listed on the license. The handgun may be carried only while the licensee is actively engaged in employment for the company whose name appears on the license, and/or while licensee is in transit directly to or from residence and place of employment. At all other times the handgun must be stored unloaded in a locked container, at either the address on the license, or at the employee's legal residence (within the State of New York).
 
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Well, I'm the one buying so I get to choose! It's a Christmas gift and I'd like to keep it under $300... I'm reading your suggestions and the gun jargon makes no sense to me. I was hoping that someone could throw out the name of a gun so that I could simply google it and click "buy now."

$300. OK. Ruger P95. It's un-sexy, but will serve well in the long run. Here's one at $319, "ships free". The receiving FFL will most likely charge a nominal fee to receive it and do the paperwork. $25 is typical.

$300 is about where one would start, these days, getting into new handguns what will work and last and are fit for the purpose.
 
As I understand it, you can't even handle a gun at the shop or range without a permit in NYC. If that is correct, you will need to take him to PA or VT just to let him handle some firearms, to get a feel for what he likes.

You can probably get him a gift certificate, but he will need to get a permit in order to use it to buy a handgun in NY.

And, as always, since legal issues are involved, it's not a bad idea to check with a NYC attorney.

Sorry.
 
There are also all sorts of arcane laws and regulations pertaining to shooting at a range in NYC. Ranges are few and far between, and EXPENSIVE.

Krissy, please just forget it. There is NO way you can possibly pull this together by Christmas ... of 2012. And the costs associated with just getting to the point you and your BF can even approach purchasing a firearm in NYC are way over your budget.
 
Krissy, please just forget it.

On the contrary, do not quit if it is something you guys would like to do: Simply because something is difficult is not a reason not to do it. Most things worth doing are difficult, if only the first few times.

You probably will not be able to get it done anytime soon, or even next year ..... but do not quit. Quitters never know what they might have done.

Save your money, get the paperwork done, take a class..... at the very least you will learn something ...... that beats persisting in ignorance......
 
+1 on ruger p95, an even better choice for a brand new shooter is a ruger 22/45 the same site has them starting at 259. But he needs to hold them and try them out first if possible. If he is like every other guy out there he will enjoy you taking him to the gun store to look.
 
Kristin, I'm so glad you asked. No, the choice is in my opinion reckless for a beginner. He should start out with a .22LR pistol, like a Ruger of Browning. They are cheap to shoot (ammo about $12 for 550 cartridges) and buy (typically under $275), so it's easier to become proficient at the range.
 
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